Flat Rock Halloween in the 1960's
I have vivid memories of a year I went as a "princess". I wore the pink dress that Marie had worn in cousin Don's wedding. I had to trick or treat with Lou and it had been raining. He was going too fast for me to keep up with him ...now that I think back he was probably actually trying to ditch me...anyway, I fell on the corner of Walnut and Field right in front of Fred Gladding's house. I am sure Fred didn't occupy the house at the time, but I do remember being traumatized by the fall. We always collected candy in a pillow case because you could carry more and it didn't rip as the paper grocery bags did. We would come home and dump it on the living room floor, sorting and trading...I loved those Squirrels, but didn't care for Mary Janes. Only after I became a parent did I realize that after I went to bed, mom and dad probably raided my candy!!! (As I did with my kid's stash)

Ancient rites of Halloween, Flat Rock style.

I can only remember one Halloween costume. I was a hobo, and my hat was a black plastic "bowler" purchased just for that night. In the early Halloweens of my childhood, it was called Beggar's Night by some, and they were heard to shout "Help the Poor" rather than "Trick or Treat." Someone down Walnut Street would have us bob for apples; another kindly old lady would make us hot chocolate, and another provided hand made candied apples, another popcorn balls...house after house inviting us inside to enjoy home made treats, share a scary story, and warm up when the weather was cold and rainy. Walnut St. was the last street on the east side of town, and I rarely completed the full length of Walnut and Evergreen streets. By the time I got to the corner of Evergreen and Field, I would trot up the hill to Walnut, and make a bee-line for home, so full of goodies that I rarely even look inside my double-layered paper grocery bag.

Later on came driving out to the farms to tip over outhouses, "soaping" windows (which ended with an ill-advised application of paraffin wax to Parker's porch screens) and other miscellaneous mischief, which began about the time they started having a big town party at the football field. which was were we were supposed to be.

But I will remember best the pungent odor of a charred bottle cork as I applied it to my cheeks to make my first (and obviously not last) beard.

I typed this whole thing about Halloween, but I don't know where it went, so here goes again. I remember when I was about 7 or 8 I wanted to be Mickey Mouse for Halloween. Mom decided she could make the ears on her sewing machine (located in the garage that summer). Despite all her efforts ripping and resewing, she could not make the ears stand up! She tried wire and everything. I especially remember her frustration, because it wasn't turning out the way she had envisoned it. I finally went as a gypsy that year...not quite the "hobo" costume copout, but close. If this post appears elsewhere on this blog...forgive me...this blogging thing is relatively new to me!

Calkins Family Memories

Ok, this blog was actually Marie's idea, but as we approach the anniversary of mom's death, and with the family "homestead" up for sale, I thought it would be good therapy for all of us